Studies have shown that most people don’t experience actual memory loss until they are at the end of their 30s or mid-40s. Forgetfulness is an entirely different case that any living being experiences as they age. A lot of people have reported that they started to show signs of forgetfulness in their 30s. They struggle to remember things for several reasons as they hit their late 30s.
At first, you may not even feel that you forget things, but as time rolls out, you will notice it, and the people around you will also point it out for you.
If you are someone who often has to question, “why can’t I remember things that just happened” then you need to get to the bottom of it. Because most of the time, it happens due to some lifestyles change that has such an impact on your memory.
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Symptoms of Forgetfulness
Usually, forgetfulness or short-term memory loss includes forgetting things that happened recently. It can include the following symptoms:
- Forgetting where you just put an item
- Forgetting something you just read or saw
- Finding it hard to remember the face of a person you just met
- Asking the same questions
- Forgetting recent events of your life
Factors that Lead to Forgetfulness
The following factors contribute a lot to short-term memory loss among people in their late 30s or mid-40s. Forgetfulness in the 30s is generally common because of these factors:
Stress
Stress is a common issue among almost everyone these days. In a report, about 80% of people admitted to having experience stress daily. The stress of being in your 30s hits differently because people expect to have a defined and flourishing career by then. Everyone is racing to get at the top, and it is adversely affecting their lives. As a result, they start to forget things and consider it as losing their minds. Their primary reason for stress is:
- Advancing in their careers
- Purchasing their first homes
- Getting married
- Planning kids
- Maintaining relationships with old friends and peers
- Giving their families a quality lifestyle
All of these tensions can lead to forgetting disease, which can further stress you out. Therefore, finding things that de-stress you are important.
Anxiety
Anxiety is another significant factor that leads to forgetfulness in the 30s. When you suffer from anxiety, your body starts its fight-or-flight response, and your brain gets hijacked. Your blood circulation changes and your brain slows down, which can lead to short-term memory loss. People also feel shy to reach out for help with their anxiety. If left untreated, it can lead to nervous breakdowns and much worse in the future.
Sleep Deprivation
Your body needs at least 6-8 hours of sleep to perform well. Anything less or more can lead to many problems for you. There are several types of memory loss, and some of them happen due to lack of sleep and tiredness. According to the Institution of Disease Control and Prevention, an international group working to prevent and control common illnesses, about 30% of people do not get the advised amount of sleep. It leads to memory loss, mood swings, anxiety, and headache. If you question yourself that why am I so forgetful and absent-minded? It might be because you are not sleeping and resting enough.
Medications
It is not always the fault of your daily routine that may be causing forgetfulness in your 30s. Sometimes, you may be prescribed some medications or drugs with short-term memory loss as their side effects. In such cases, you should check the ingredients of your medicines. The following salts in pills can cause such problems:
- Paroxetine
- Oxybutynin
- Amitriptyline
- Cimetidine
Moreover, you should avoid using cold and allergy medications that include chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, or brompheniramine, as they can cause problems for those in their 30s having memory issues.
Excess Use of Caffeine
Using excess caffeine can cause you to stay alert all night and day. It lessens your sleeping hours and makes your mind work at troubleshooting levels. It is a major cause of forgetting disease for people in their 30s. People in such an age bracket have a bad habit of falling back on tea or coffee to work. They keep themselves active with such substances to work more. It has proven to be adverse for their health, and it also promotes short-term memory loss at a very early stage.
Thyroid Issues
A large chunk of people suffers from thyroid issues, but only some of them are aware of it. Therefore, once your reach your 30s, you should talk to your doctor and get a memory loss test. Your doctor can help you better in diagnosing the underlying condition that is causing you short-term memory loss. However, in worst cases, things can get pretty hard. People with an underactive thyroid can start to experience early memory loss. Hypothyroidism can make it difficult to sleep and cause depression in some people. Both can trigger forgetfulness.
Children
Having children is the best thing in the world but raising them is a tough task. You can lose your sleep, past lifestyle, and habits when raising children. You need to make a new lifestyle that works for you and your kid. It is not as easy as it may sound. Many people who have children in their late 30s often complain about having memory loss. It can be due to many factors, including lack of sleep, anxiety, changed lifestyle, and changed sleeping patterns. The best way to cope up with this is that you get some help at the start to adjust to the new routine and as your kids get older, share your responsibilities. It will help you load off and have a sane mind.
These are the main reasons for experiencing short-term memory loss in your 30s. If you want to get more information regarding forgetfulness and its treatment, then visit a neurologist and book your appointment with the best neurologists in Karachi today.
